SUNY College at Brockport President John R. Halstead announced the college's plans to build a Special Events Recreation Center at a press conference February 28. One of the biggest construction projects in the history of the Brockport campus, the project is "not a 'fieldhouse,' but rather a state-of-the art multipurpose facility that will drive economic development and the fiscal health and well-being of our region by creating jobs and helping the economy of Monroe County and upstate New York," Halstead said at the gathering of college personnel, community leaders and representatives of King & King Architects, LLP of Manlius, NY, an Upstate New York firm. Shown above, (l to r) Kirk W. Narburgh, a partner with King & King Architects; SUNY Brockport President John Halstead; Jefferey VanDenburgh, campus project manager representing the SUNY Construction Fund and Curtis Moody, president and CEO of MoodyoNolan, Inc., architects specializing in sports facilities. The new Special Events Recreation Center facility is expected to cost $44 million and will be located at the west side of the Tuttle North Athletic Complex (lower left in sketch). It will be the largest indoor arena between Rochester and Buffalo. The initial feasibility study done in 2003 recommended an event space with seating for 8,000 to accommodate audiences for public concerts and official college events such as commencement. Other considerations for the center include a four-lane indoor track, a fitness center and weight room, lockers and showers, vending and ticket areas, as well as large multi-use spaces for academic, recreation and athletic events and practices. In 2006, $15 million was appropriated within the SUNY Capital Budget for the center, with an additional $24 million requested by SUNY and included in Governor Spitzer's 2007-08 Executive Budget. The college is in the process of acquiring the remaining $5 million. The design phase is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete. College officials plan for the project to be completed during 2010-11. Photographs by Walter Horylev. March 4, 2007 |
